Hampta Pass to Chandratal: Route, Access & Travel Planning Guide

Published on February 18, 2026

The Hampta Pass to Chandratal combination is popular because it brings together two very different Himalayan experiences: a high-altitude crossover trek and a road excursion to one of Himachal Pradesh’s best-known mountain lakes.

However, there is one important point many first-time trekkers misunderstand: Chandratal Lake is not located directly on the Hampta Pass trekking trail.

The main trek crosses Hampta Pass from the greener Kullu side into Lahaul and continues towards Shea Goru and Chatru. Chandratal is then visited separately by road from the Chatru side when current road and weather conditions allow. TourMyHoliday’s present itinerary follows exactly this structure.

This guide explains how the two destinations connect without repeating the full Hampta Pass itinerary, difficulty guide or Chandratal attraction information covered elsewhere.

How Does Chandratal Connect with the Hampta Pass Trek?

The Hampta Pass Trek begins on the Manali side and gradually crosses into Lahaul Valley.

The main trekking sequence is:

Jobra → Chika → Balu Ka Ghera → Hampta Pass → Shea Goru → Chatru

Once trekkers reach Chatru, the walking portion of the crossover is largely complete. From there, a vehicle can continue towards Chandratal if the road is accessible. TourMyHoliday’s current itinerary schedules this excursion on Day 4 and returns to Chatru for the night.

So the simplest way to understand the trip is:

Hampta Pass = trekking experience
Chandratal = post-trek road excursion

Where Does the Hampta Pass Trek Begin?

The walking route begins near Jobra, after a vehicle transfer from Manali.

The opening stage moves through the greener Kullu-side landscape before the route gradually climbs towards higher camps and Hampta Pass. TourMyHoliday currently uses Chika as the first overnight campsite after starting from Jobra.

For the wider geographical context, read Where Is Hampta Pass Situated?.

How Do You Reach Chatru?

After the initial trekking days, the route climbs through Balu Ka Ghera and crosses Hampta Pass before descending towards the Lahaul side.

The next major campsite is Shea Goru, followed by the descent to Chatru. The current itinerary specifically places the Hampta Pass crossing on Day 3 and the Shea Goru-to-Chatru section on Day 4.

This is the key connection point because vehicles can then take trekkers towards Chandratal.

Is Chandratal Part of the Trekking Route?

No.

This distinction is important for accurate trip planning.

You do not trek across Hampta Pass and immediately arrive at Chandratal Lake. After completing the higher trekking section and descending to Chatru, Chandratal is approached by road.

This is also why the Chandratal visit can be cancelled even when the Hampta Pass Trek itself has been completed successfully. The road towards the lake may be unsafe or inaccessible because of snow, rain, landslides or other mountain conditions. TourMyHoliday therefore lists the excursion as subject to road conditions.

Where Is Chandratal Lake?

Chandratal Sarovar lies in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh.

The official District Lahaul and Spiti tourism information places Chandrataal at about 14,000 ft and approximately 9 km from Kunzum Pass, within a broad high-altitude grassy landscape. The district also notes that the lake freezes during winter.

The lake therefore belongs to a different part of the journey from the forest-and-meadow approach used during the opening Hampta Pass trekking days.

Why Is Chandratal Added to Hampta Pass Itineraries?

The combination works well because trekkers are already on the Lahaul side after crossing Hampta Pass.

Instead of returning immediately to Manali, a Chandratal excursion adds another high-altitude landscape to the trip when access permits.

The two experiences are also visually different:

Hampta Pass: trekking, pass crossing and landscape transition
Chandratal: high-altitude lake and road-based excursion

This combination gives travellers more variety without pretending that Chandratal is physically part of the Hampta trekking trail.

For the landscape transition itself, read Why Hampta Pass Is a Dramatic Crossover Trek.

Is the Chandratal Visit Guaranteed?

No.

The Chandratal visit should always be treated as conditional.

TourMyHoliday’s current Day 4 itinerary explicitly states that the drive to Chandratal is subject to road conditions. After the excursion, the group is scheduled to return to Chatru for the overnight camp rather than stay at the lake.

Mountain access can be affected by:

• Snow
• Heavy rainfall
• Landslides
• Road damage
• Stream crossings
• Local restrictions
• Other safety concerns

A trek operator should never force a Chandratal visit simply because it appears on a planned itinerary.

Do You Stay Overnight at Chandratal?

Under the current TourMyHoliday itinerary, no.

The plan is:

Shea Goru → Chatru → Chandratal excursion → return to Chatru for camping

Day 5 then involves the drive from Chatru back to Manali.

This is important because older travel blogs—including the previous version of this page—describe overnight camping near Chandratal. That does not match the current package structure.

Is Chandratal the Highest Point of the Trip?

Hampta Pass and Chandratal are both around the 14,000 ft range, but small variations appear between sources and measurements.

For practical trip planning, there is little value in presenting one as dramatically higher than the other. The important point is that both involve high-altitude conditions, so travellers should take hydration, pacing and unusual physical symptoms seriously. The official district tourism page places Chandrataal at about 14,000 ft.

For detailed Hampta Pass difficulty rather than duplicating it here, use Is Hampta Pass Trek Difficult?.

What If Chandratal Is Closed?

If Chandratal cannot be reached, the main Hampta Pass Trek can still remain a complete crossover trekking experience.

The lake is an extension rather than the objective of the actual pass crossing.

Your operator may:

• Skip the Chandratal excursion
• Return directly towards Manali
• Modify timings
• Change the route according to local conditions

This is one reason travellers should avoid booking the trek solely for a guaranteed Chandratal visit.

For rain-related route risks, see Hampta Pass Trek During Monsoon.

When Is Chandratal Accessible?

Access depends heavily on snow clearance and current road conditions.

Instead of treating one fixed opening date as permanent, confirm the latest access before departure. Mountain roads can open later or close earlier depending on that year’s weather.

The official District Lahaul and Spiti information confirms that Chandrataal freezes during winter, illustrating how strongly the site is affected by seasonal conditions.

For choosing your overall Hampta trekking period, use Which Month Is Best for Hampta Pass Trek?.

What Should You Prepare Before the Chandratal Excursion?

Even though Chandratal is reached by vehicle, it remains a high-altitude mountain destination.

Keep these essentials accessible:

• Warm jacket
• Waterproof outer layer
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Water bottle
• Personal medication
• Power bank
• Government-issued ID
• Small snacks

Do not unpack all your trekking layers simply because the main walking section is finished.

For complete gear preparation, read Hampta Pass Packing Mistakes First-Time Trekkers Make.

Responsible Travel at Chandratal

Chandratal is a sensitive high-altitude lake environment.

The District Lahaul and Spiti administration describes the lake as a natural high-altitude water body surrounded by alpine vegetation during summer.

Visitors should:

• Carry waste back
• Avoid leaving plastic
• Keep soap and chemicals away from the water
• Stay on permitted paths
• Avoid loud music
• Follow local instructions
• Avoid disturbing wildlife

For official information about the destination, travellers can refer to the District Lahaul and Spiti Chandrataal information.

Is Hampta Pass with Chandratal Suitable for Beginners?

The Chandratal excursion itself does not determine whether the Hampta Pass Trek is beginner-friendly—the trekking section does.

A first-time trekker still needs enough fitness for several days of walking, the high pass crossing and changing terrain.

For a dedicated first-trek assessment, read Why Hampta Pass Is Good for Beginners.

How Far Is the Journey from Manali?

Distance can become confusing because the trip combines road transfers and trekking.

Manali is the reporting base, Jobra is the trekking start area, Chatru is reached after crossing into Lahaul, and Chandratal is then approached by vehicle.

Instead of combining all of these into one misleading kilometre figure, use our dedicated How Far Is Hampta Pass from Manali? guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Chandratal Lake included in the Hampta Pass Trek?

Chandratal is commonly added as a post-trek excursion. Under TourMyHoliday’s current itinerary, it is visited from Chatru on Day 4 when road and weather conditions permit.

2. Do you trek from Hampta Pass directly to Chandratal?

No. After crossing Hampta Pass, trekkers descend towards Shea Goru and Chatru. Chandratal is then approached by vehicle from the Lahaul side.

3. Is the Chandratal visit guaranteed?

No. The excursion depends on road and weather conditions and may be cancelled or modified for safety.

4. Do TourMyHoliday groups camp at Chandratal?

The current itinerary returns to Chatru for the overnight camp after the Chandratal excursion.

5. How high is Chandratal Lake?

The District Lahaul and Spiti administration places Chandrataal at approximately 14,000 ft above sea level.

6. Can Hampta Pass still be completed if Chandratal is closed?

Yes. Chandratal is an additional excursion after the main Hampta Pass crossing. Road closure to the lake does not automatically mean the trekking route itself cannot be completed.

7. Where is Chandratal located?

Chandratal lies in Lahaul and Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh, approximately 9 km from Kunzum Pass according to the district administration.

Hampta Pass and Chandratal: Two Experiences in One Journey

The easiest way to understand the Hampta Pass–Chandratal connection is to keep the two experiences separate.

You trek from the Kullu side across Hampta Pass into Lahaul, descend through Shea Goru to Chatru, and then—if the road is safe and open—travel by vehicle towards Chandratal.

That distinction makes trip planning clearer and prevents inaccurate expectations about trekking directly to the lake.

For the broad route, camps and preparation rather than Chandratal logistics, use our Hampta Pass Trek Complete Guide.

Travellers looking for the current itinerary, inclusions, price and Chandratal arrangements can explore the Hampta Pass Trek Package with Chandratal.